Human Services News

Mathematica Policy Research:

Seeking ways to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health care to an increasingly diverse population is a growing policy concern.

Public hearings held in Connecticut revealed that many of the state's residents with limited English proficiency (LEP) see health care providers without a trained interpreter.

A new policy brief provides estimates of (1) the number of Connecticut Medicaid recipients with LEP, and (2) the cost of providing face-to-face interpreter services to these beneficiaries statewide.

Researchers also estimated that the state’s annual share of providing medical interpreter services through its Medicaid program would total about $2.35 million if Connecticut takes advantage of available federal matching funds.